Chatter- Week of July 28

By Kevin CooneyStaff writer

Sunday

Jul 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM

ē†One thing about the current steroid testing policy that must be addressed in the next collective bargaining agreement between the owners and the MLB Players' Association that would solve a large portion of the problem: start voiding contracts like Ryan Braunís $127 million deal that lasts until 2021 once a failed test takes place. The credibility of the numbers that resulted in the deal are now being called into question because of Braunís plea deal with the commissioners office. Suspensions donít seem to work. Maybe this hammer will.

ē†Speaking of bad contracts and potential PED suspensions, it's time for both the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez to come up with an exit strategy to this bad marriage that both are in. The Yanks clearly donít want Rodriguez around. A-Rod clearly doesnít trust Yankee management, especially general manager Brian Cashman. Both sides look worse than ever, if thatís even possible. Just end the relationship, work out a settlement and move on.

ē†One team that needs to make a big splash move this week? Thatís the Red Sox, who have seen the Rays take the division lead and continue to wonder about the status of Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and that bullpen. The Red Sox have been a great story, but they need reinforcements to continue the run.

HOW WE SEE IT

Top 5†††††††††††††††† Bottom 5

1. Rays††††††††††††† 26. Cubs

2. Cardinals††††††† 27. Brewers

3. Pirates†††††††††† 28. White Sox

4. Red Sox†††††††† 29. Marlins

5. Athletics††††††† 30. Astros

PAUL HAGEN: AN APPRECIATION

I know that heís going to hate this, but here it goes: I grew up reading Paul Hagen. And you all have him to blame for this hack wanting to cover baseball for a living.

Ever since Hagen moved to Philadelphia to cover the Phillies for the Daily News in 1987, his voice has been a signature one in this region that has been filled with great baseball writers (Jayson Stark, Jim Salisbury, and Bob Brookover just to name a few.)

The man has covered a ton of baseball and for most of the time here or in Texas covering the Rangers beforehand, he saw lots of bad baseball. But he always made it interesting and entertaining.

Ever since I started hanging around this press box in 2003, I can honestly say that Paul has been the consummate gentlemen and ultimate professional for a beat corps that has gotten younger and has often sought his advice. Being invited to share a cold beverage at the Philadium (in South Philly) or Frenchyís in Clearwater with Hagen is about as good as it gets in this business. Getting that devilish glare over the glasses is a nice way of saying that maybe that idea you had is a little off the wall.

Paul- who is now with MLB.com- was honored with the J.G. Taylor Spink on Saturday here in Cooperstown. It speaks to Hagenís character that both media members and front office types made the 4 Ĺ hour trip to see his speech at Doubleday Field at a very busy time in the baseball calendar.

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